[Volunteers_fosm] North Faulty is Done! (For now)

[Young, Canyon - FS, NM]

Hey there FOSM,

Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all those involved in the recently completed construction of the rather extensive series of reroutes on the southern half of the North Faulty/North Mystery Trail this year. I knew when designing/flagging these alignments last year that it would be an extensive project, and indeed, this has been the Thursday trail construction crew's most enduring project of 2025. Jen and I knew that with all the low-cut stumps, rocks, and steep side slopes to contend with, coupled with the relatively increased sun exposure, lower elevation, and long hike in and out, this would be a big push, and I greatly appreciate y'all pushing through. I routinely went out to check on the progress throughout the year, including last week just a couple days before y'all tied things off completely.

Given the 30-meter maintenance corridor established along the entire length of this trail via the 2019 Sandia Trails Improvement Project, I decided to take advantage by designing this series of reroutes that would, as y'all are well aware, increase sustainability & watershed protection by getting rid of sections that lacked proper grade reversal intervals and/or exceeded grade. Additionally, part of my intent was to simultaneously make this portion of the trail more appealing to a wider range of users.

This fits into much larger plans I have to increase connectivity of the trail system in the east Sandias such that the currently intensely heavy pressure on popular trails such as Challenge is aleiviated and better dispersed, resulting in less intra-user conflict and bike brake lockup damage, especially as we move into the future expecting the population of the ABQ area, and therefore numbers of trail users, to only continue to increase. As a teaser, this plan includes (but is not limited to), a couple of new connections from Challenge down to the North Faulty, strategically designed and located such that routes other than just straight Challenge from top to bottom will be not only available, but also appealing and therefore get used.

In the nearer future, as I work toward getting the next trails NEPA project for the east Sandias on the docket, you can expect a couple large reroutes on the other half of North Faulty (one in Madera Canyon, one north of Palomas Peak), as well as some brushing/corridor work/in-tread fixes along legacy alignments that will be retained. There are also a handful of reroutes needed in the Manzanitas that have clearance through the Cedro Landscape EA, which will also make good shoulder season and/or filler work before the next trails NEPA project rolls out. The next planning phase of the Foothills trails project is happening this year, as well, and some extensive construction will follow that.

To reiterate, THANK YOU for your dedication and perseverance on what I know has already been a long, hot, dusty field season. The completion of these reroutes on North Faulty is a significant milestone as we move toward our common goal of a sustainable, relevant, and enjoyable trails system that can handle ever-increasing recreational pressure and serve our community into the next century, all with a virtually invisible hydrological footprint and minimal agency maintenance and financial burden. With trail construction contractors and youth corps crews unfortunately developing a more and more unreliable reputation, we're incredibly thankful that y'all, as very experienced trail builders who require almost no supervision from me and Jen, are here as incredibly dedicated volunteers. Y'all are literally building things that your grandchildren's grandchildren will be able to enjoy - don't downplay the value that you are building into our community and public lands.




[cid:661f439f-e879-4718-beb1-abe6d99e9fac]








Canyon Young
Trails & Wilderness Program Manager

[cid:2a85deee-6322-4d60-a71f-16d32eea3117]

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

Sandia Ranger District
11776 Hwy 337

Tijeras, NM 87059

c: (505) 546-7466





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